Dominique Robinson made a bold decision in the early months of 2020. After spending his early college career as a wide receiver, he wasn’t getting many opportunities at Miami of Ohio. So he decided to try some snaps as a pass rusher on a whim. The coaches liked what they saw and asked if Robinson wanted to stay there. Realizing this might be his last shot to make an impact, he accepted. A year later, he surprised many with 4.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for a loss in only his second season ever playing the position.
Then for good measure, Robinson had a great week of work down at the Senior Bowl in Mobile. His agent and others felt he’d done enough to get drafted, but they weren’t sure where. Projections had him going anywhere from the 3rd to the 5th round. However, there is no predicting the draft. He could go earlier or not go at all. So Robinson waited…and waited…and waited. As the 3rd and 4th rounds passed, he started getting nervous.
Finally, his phone rang with just six picks left in the 5th.
It was GM Ryan Poles. The Chicago Bears were going to select him 174th overall. Excitement immediately enveloped the young player, but also relief. Still, he couldn’t rest. He had to see it happen on the television to make sure. A representative of Miamiredhawks.com was in his house to watch the moment unfold. He recorded the usual draft reaction, but with a couple of added funny moments.
There was nervous laughter. The Bears’ team needs scrolled across the screen. The announcers blathered on about the Texans’ new tight end and the Broncos’ new offensive lineman. The infamous ‘pick is in’ graphic showed up. The nine-note jingle.
A pause that seemed so much longer than it actually was.
And then, the room erupted.
With the 174th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Dominique Robinson was a Chicago Bear.
The only moment that might have gotten more reaction in the room than the actual announcement was when Robinson’s Miami highlight reel showed on the ESPN broadcast so the analysts could start breaking down the pick.
As soon as that was done, Dom himself was done.
“Alright, turn that off!”
Everyone laughed.
It wasn’t over yet. Once the celebration died down, Robinson had one more remark.
The kid from Canton stood less than eight miles from the birthplace of the National Football League and reflected on the birth of his National Football League career.
“It was a great day. A long, great day.
“And I’m about to go take a nap.”
This helps encapsulate how nerve-racking the draft can be for so many players. Getting selected is a dream for so many. It is a sign they made it. They’re in the big league. Far too many players never get to realize it. Waiting hours upon hours to hear your name called is exhausting. Dominique Robinson was finally able to exhale and relax. He was heading to Chicago, and the next phase of his goals could begin.
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